Venice Film Festival: Message from Ukraine President Zelenskyj at the start

Venice Film Festival
Message from Ukraine President Zelenskyj at the start

Volodymyr Zelenskyy via video link at the 79th Venice Film Festival.

© getty/Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj addressed urgent words to the audience at the start of the Venice Film Festival.

As at the start in Cannes, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (44) addressed the audience with urgent words at the start of the Venice Film Festival (August 31). Via video link he thanked “for the opportunity to talk about our situation here.” Then he reminded the festival-goers that a real drama was taking place in his country – “a horror that is not 120 minutes long, but has lasted 189 days of war in Ukraine”, quotes “Deadline”.

There are three mistakes to avoid at all costs: getting used to war, forgetting it or even consciously turning your back on it. “Artists, film directors, producers, actors: […] Your status is important. Your vote counts. Your word is strong.” It is therefore also up to them not to remain “silent” in the matter.

“White Noise” opens the film festival

After the powerful speech, this year’s jury was introduced by actress Julianne Moore (61), who acts as jury president at the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival. The opening film was Noah Baumbach’s (52) “White Noise”, in which Adam Driver (38) and Greta Gerwig (39) have the leading roles. The film festival runs until September 10th.

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